“Mappy” Hour at Trap Rock Brewing Company

By: Irene Bugge

Want to have some fun and help the People’s Maps Commission draw fair, impartial voting district maps? Maps that represent all Wisconsinites, including Polk County? Then drop by Trap Rock Brewing Company in St. Croix Falls on July 14 between 4:00 and 8:00 pm for “mappy” hour. Enjoy a $2 beer, connect with others who support fair voting district maps in Wisconsin and help create “community of interest” maps. 

This event is co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters St. Croix Valley and Western Wisconsin for Nonpartisan Voting Districts).

“The maps created at Trap Rock will allow the People’s Maps Commission to better understand how communities in Polk County function,” said Carolyn Saunders, chair of the local League of Women Voters.  “It’s the people who live and work here who know their communities best.”

Ten years ago, when voting district maps were redrawn, the people of Wisconsin were not involved in the process. Heavily gerrymandered maps were drawn in secret, in a locked room, in a private law office. The partisan bias was so extreme that a federal court, in 2016, deemed the maps unconstitutional because they diluted the votes and voices of over half of Wisconsin’s voters.

“The People’s Maps Commission wholeheartedly believes that their success in creating fair maps depends on public input,” said Saunders. “They are committed to an open, inclusive and transparent process.”

No secret closed door meetings!

What is the People’s Maps Commission?

The People’s Maps Commission is a nonpartisan committee working to create fair, impartial voting district maps that represent all Wisconsinites.  Established by Governor Evers last fall, the Commission will be drawing new voting district maps for Wisconsin later this year based on the 2020 census numbers.

The People’s Maps Commission recently completed hearings in each of Wisconsin’s eight congressional districts, listening to the people of Wisconsin about the effects of redistricting on local communities.